Voting is now open for next summer’s Movies in the Park, the premier outdoor film series in Grand Rapids presented by Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) and Friends of Grand Rapids Parks (Friends).
Grand Rapidians are welcome to help pick the films screened throughout the 2016 series by voting online for up to 10 of their favorite films on a community-generated of nearly 80 options. Voters also are encouraged to write-in additional film titles for consideration and future public voting campaigns. One limitation: Movies in the Park is not able to show Disney or Star Wars films due to licensing restrictions.
The survey will remain open until January 3, 2016.
DGRI and partners will announce the 2016 Movies in the Park titles in March 2016.
2016 Dates Released
In conjunction with the launch of public voting, DGRI also announces the 2016 Movies in the Park event dates. Pre-movie entertainment typically begins at 6 PM and movies begin at dusk. The dates are as follows:
- June 3
- June 17
- July 8
- July 22
- August 5
- August 19
Vendor, Sponsor & Volunteer Opportunities
DGRI and Friends team up with numerous companies, small businesses, community groups and volunteers to make Movies in the Park a success. These partners help support pre-movie programming in the park, provide snacks and refreshments, and otherwise contribute to a positive experience for event attendees.
Interested vendors click here for more information about business opportunities (PDF). Vendor agreements must be submitted by February 1, 2016.
Community groups interested in partnership opportunities click here for more information (PDF). Event organizers partner with community groups on a rolling basis as opportunities present.
Interested sponsors please contact info@downtowngr.org for more information. Sponsors are encouraged to sign up by March 1, 2016 to ensure inclusion on all event marketing materials.
Movies in the Park typically utilizes 10-15 volunteers per night to assist with ID checks, event set up, audience surveys and other activities. Interested volunteers please contact info@downtowngr.org.
About Movies in the Park
Movies in the Park stems from a 2013 community idea to expand the portfolio of free, outdoor urban recreation activities in Downtown Grand Rapids. The film series has quickly become a signature event in Downtown. The 2015 series of six movie nights attracted more than 31,000 people and stimulated an estimated $664,000 in total consumer spending. Overall, the series leveraged approximately $441 in economic return to downtown and participating businesses for every public dollar invested to produce the events. Click here for a summary of the 2015 event performance report.
